BACKGROUND:
New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI, or NO-kee) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that educates a diverse community of learners to sustain an ever-evolving hospitality industry. We offer a platform for professional and personal growth, increasing access, and minimizing barriers to career pathways while supporting the promotion and economic development of the culinary arts and hospitality industry.
The Program Manager will lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Hospitality Futures Academy, a 14-week workforce development program. This role is responsible for ensuring seamless program delivery, strong partner collaboration, and successful student outcomes, including job placement and long-term retention in the hospitality industry.
This role is critical to bridging the gap between training and employment in the hospitality industry. The Program Manager ensures participants gain the skills, confidence, and support needed to secure meaningful employment and build long-term careers. The majority of the work is to be performed during normal business. Occasional after hours duties will occur. This is a 40-hour weekly position based daily on campus at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute. This is salary-based position.
KEY DUTIES AND TASKS:
Program Leadership & Operations
- Oversee end-to-end execution of the 14-week training program, including coordination and planning of life skills, hospitality training, culinary exposure, and externships.
- Develop and manage program schedules, ensuring alignment across all curriculum components.
- Monitor program quality and ensure consistency in delivery across instructional areas.
- Track participant progress, attendance, and performance metrics.
Partnership Management
- Serve as the primary liaison between NOCHI, hotel properties, and external partners.
- Establish and manage MOUs with pipeline partners and externship sites.
- Coordinate with hotel partner properties to secure and support externship placements.
- Maintain relationships with partner organizations to ensure a strong participant pipeline.
Curriculum & Training Oversight
- Collaborate with instructional teams to implement career-aligned training modules.
- Ensure curriculum reflects real-world hospitality expectations and industry standards.
- Support integration of life skills, functional skills, and hospitality training components.
Student Success & Support
- Create a supportive learning environment that promotes retention and completion.
- Oversee student onboarding, engagement, and progression throughout the program.
- Implement post-program follow-up, including monthly check-ins for one year and ongoing alumni engagement.
- Address participant challenges and connect students with resources as needed.
Workforce Development & Outcomes
- Drive job placement efforts in collaboration with employers.
- Track employment outcomes, retention rates, and overall program impact.
- Continuously improve program design based on data and feedback.
Data & Reporting
- Collect and analyze program data to measure effectiveness and outcomes.
- Prepare regular reports for stakeholders, including program performance and impact metrics.
- Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and partnership agreements
ROLE-BASED COMPETENCIES:
- Post secondary two or four year degree, preferably in Hospitality, Education, Workforce Development, or related field OR equivalent industry experience.
- Experience managing partnerships and external stakeholders.
- Preferred three-five years experience in program management, hospitality or hotel operations, familiarity with training or workforce development programs, and/or experience supporting populations with barriers to employment or early-career job seekers.
- Ability to represent the organization in a professional, positive manner.
- Ability to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and successfully meet deadlines.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, and use of communications and data technologies.
- Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.
- Critical attention to detail.
GENERAL CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Ability to work with a diverse staff, student body, and visitor base in a professional and service-oriented approach and participate as an effective member of a larger, high functioning team.
- Ability to reliably finish work and assignments in a timely fashion.
- Flexibility/adaptability to deliver results as part of a team.
- High standards of excellence and attention to detail.
- A spirit of hospitality and passion for and keen interest in NOCHI’s mission and the culinary and hospitality industry.
- Enthusiasm and passion for New Orleans.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL SET:
- Knowledge or experience of student management software.
- Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, Google Applications, and Google Drive.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
